Appealing Financial Aid Decisions

Students have the right to appeal any decision made by the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.

However, the decision of the appeals committee is final, and no exceptions can be made for requests in violation of the Federal and State regulations, which govern financial aid. You are encouraged to consult with a financial aid adviser before you file the appeal so that we can explain the appeals process and documentation needed.

All appeals should be addressed to the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships Appeal Committee. The Committee responds to all correspondence within a reasonable period of time (generally within two weeks of receipt, unless substantial documentation is required). Students are notified of the committee’s decision via their UTSA email address.

Membership of the committee consists of both the directors of Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Financial Aid Ombudsperson, a member of the Compliance Team and two other managers.

Financial Aid Ombudsman

If a student and/or parent has an issue they are unable to resolve which is not appropriate to use the normal means of the Financial Aid Appeal Committee (such as the need to resolve a conflict or dispute or file a complaint about a policy or procedure), the individual is encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Ombudsperson. The Ombudsperson is not an advocate for any individual or group on campus; instead, the Ombudsperson is an advocate for fairness.  To contact the UTSA Financial Aid Ombudsman outside of the Financial Aid Appeal Committee, please send an email to onestop@utsa.edu with “Ombudsman” in the subject line.